1 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. Uh good, good, good good vibrations. Addition, 3 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: as we talk to the author of a recent Bengals 4 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: State of the Franchise story, Adam Rank from NFL dot Com, 5 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: he writes that the Bengals are quote a team on 6 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: the rise, potentially heading for unprecedented levels of success. Adam 7 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: will explain why. He also picks the team's breakout star 8 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty and it's not Joe Burrow or T 9 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: Higgins or DJ reader. I will talk to the player 10 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:47,319 Speaker 1: that Adams selected. The Bengals Booth Podcast is presented by 11 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: Prime Sport, the official fan, travel and hospitality partner of 12 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati Bengals. And here's a quick reminder that you 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: can have the latest edition of this podcast delivered write 14 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: to your phone, tablet, or computer by some scribing on iTunes, Stitcher, 15 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: Google Play, Spotify, or Podbean. It's the greatest thing since 16 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: Father's Day. My love of sports came from my dad. 17 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 1: Like many fathers and sons, we bonded while talking about sports, 18 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:21,040 Speaker 1: and his favorite teams became my favorite teams. Between the NFL, NBA, 19 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:25,319 Speaker 1: NHL and Major League Baseball, those teams have combined for 20 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: one championship. So thanks Dad for passing down a lifetime 21 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 1: of frustration. Just kidding, I think in any case, as 22 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: the son of Larry Horde, the stepson of Jack Bailey, 23 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 1: and the father of young Sam, I hope you and 24 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: your family have a wonderful Father's Day. Now let's get 25 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: to this week's guests. Recently, NFL dot com has been 26 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: posting state of the Franchise stories about every NFL team, 27 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 1: and the Bengals version was extremely positive. The title was 28 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 1: Bengals trending up with Joe Burrow and I am going 29 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 1: to read the second paragraph here goes, It's an exciting 30 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: time to be a Bengals fan. This is a team 31 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: on the rise, potentially heading for unprecedented levels of success, 32 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: and the Bengals are a proud franchise if they have 33 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: a history filled with some of the greatest innovators in 34 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 1: the game and some of the best who ever played it. 35 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 1: The only thing missing is a championship. I'm not going 36 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: to sugarcoat it and say that a title is within 37 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: reach this season, but the Bengals are putting together the 38 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 1: building blocks to get there one day. The person who 39 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 1: wrote that is Adam Rank, and he joins me on 40 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: this week's podcast. Adam, your first beer is on me 41 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: if we ever meet. But in all seriousness, is the 42 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: optimism you expressed mostly due to Joe Burrow. Well, I 43 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,639 Speaker 1: gotta be honest with you. I have great editors, apparently 44 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: because I'm not that eloquent, so I appreciate them and 45 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: all the hard work that they do for that. But really, 46 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: you know, I, you know, is somebody who was a 47 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 1: huge fan of Carson Palmer growing up and everything like that. 48 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: I really follow the Bengals for quite some time. Obviously 49 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,119 Speaker 1: I follow every team, but this is a time where 50 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: I look at it and I don't know if it's 51 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: just because of Joe Burrow and his arrival, but I 52 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 1: look at what the Bengals have going on and I 53 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,960 Speaker 1: just feel really good about it. And I, you know, 54 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 1: and I talk about it in a piece, and I 55 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: know we can de dive into it a little bit more. 56 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: But I know it's hard to believe that, you know, 57 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 1: just one player can come in and change in an 58 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: entire organization, but I believe that he can't. And I'm 59 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: just a huge believer in Joe Burrow, and I love 60 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: everything that he's bringing to the Bengals, and so if 61 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: I'm a fan of the team, I would be fired up. 62 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: And again, like I said, I don't want to say 63 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 1: that you're going to be in the playoffs or you 64 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: know now that you wouldn't want to be in the plaff, 65 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 1: but you know they got the franchise moving in the 66 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: right direction for the first time what feels like a 67 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: while we are chatting with Adam Rank from NFL dot com. 68 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: I only have one quibble with your article. You wrote 69 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: that the Bengals have had some great quarterbacks, but have 70 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: never had one who was the dude, a guy that 71 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: exerted confidence. I think Boomer Assiasin was actually the epitome 72 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: of that, and that's one of the reasons why I'm 73 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: so excited about Joe Burrow. I think he's the first 74 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: guy since Boomer that has what you're talking about. You 75 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: know what, I hear what you're saying. I think, yeah, 76 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 1: I might have meant a little bit mistaken because you know, 77 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 1: you think it back to the super Bowl and pad 78 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers on the ropes ropes, excuse me, 79 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: and if they would have been able to win that one, then, 80 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: you know, I think that Boomer's career would be looked 81 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: at differently. So I would agree with you, and I 82 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 1: think I might have might have missed miss spoke, but 83 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 1: I was thinking of more of the recent quarterbacks and 84 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: guys who I really loved it, guys who I thought 85 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 1: are good quart like they're great quarterbacks. Like you look 86 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 1: at him and you're like, this is a great quarterback. 87 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: But the example that I used, and this would be 88 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 1: lost on anybody who doesn't like wrestling, but there's a 89 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 1: difference between a guy like the Rocks and a guy 90 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,919 Speaker 1: like Roman Graine. So both are very good, but the 91 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: Rock is another level. And I have Joe Burrows that 92 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: kind of player that is on another level. I think 93 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 1: that going to LSU and doing everything that he did 94 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: that really helped him, you know. And if you're at 95 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 1: quarterback after there and thinking about going back to college, 96 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: if you can use college the way Joe Burrow did, 97 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 1: because I believe that he walks into the building right 98 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,720 Speaker 1: now ready to go, and I will agree with you, 99 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 1: he is the best quarterback. He's got the best demeanor, 100 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: the best swagger, the best confidence of any quarterback since 101 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: Boomer size. If I apologize to Boomer, a fellow leftie, 102 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: might I might have missed the boat on that one. 103 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: Apology accepted on Boomer's behalf. We're talking to Adam Rank 104 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 1: from NFL dot com aside from Joe Burrow. What did 105 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: you think of the Bengals draft? Oh? I loved it. 106 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: I you know what, I really love the idea of 107 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: having a young quarterback and saying, you know, we should 108 00:05:56,279 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: do we should surround him with some really good players. 109 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: It's the opposite approach of what the Packers did, where 110 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,359 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers were like, hey, we've got a great quarterback, 111 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: let's draft his replacement for three years down the road. 112 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 1: So I love when they drafted t Higgins. You know, 113 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 1: you know, you're thinking about it. You're just kind of like, Okay, 114 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: what are they gonna do here? They're gonna go defense, 115 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 1: they could address the secondary, and they brought in Kei Higgins, 116 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: who to me was a first round talent and a 117 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: who was not a surprise because there was a lot 118 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: of good receivers in the draft, but it was, you know, 119 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 1: a little bit of a shock that he was still 120 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 1: available day two and the Bengals took him and I'm like, 121 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: you know what, this is what I like. This is 122 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: what I like to see. They're committed to going out 123 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: there and winning and giving. And you know, you look 124 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: at the receiver room as it is right now, there's 125 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: some pretty good guys in there. You know, a J Green, 126 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,160 Speaker 1: assuming he comes back and is healthy and ready to go, 127 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: and Tyler Boyd has put together back to back thousand 128 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: yard seasons. We like all it, and take John Ross 129 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: when he's available, But then you bring in a guy 130 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: like te Higgins and I'm like, this is it. They're 131 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 1: gonna go out there and they're going to give it 132 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,279 Speaker 1: a go, and this is what I think the Bengals 133 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: need to do. So I'm getting fired up just talking 134 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: about it, and we are getting fired up listening to 135 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 1: you talking about it. Adam Rank wrote the Bengal State 136 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: of the Franchise story on NFL dot Com this past Wednesday. 137 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: It's a great read. I highly recommend going back and 138 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: checking it out if you didn't read it already. Among 139 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 1: other things, you've got some great analogies in there, including 140 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: one where you compared Zach Taylor to TV chef Gordon Ramsey. 141 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: Explain why, well, I think that you know, it's one 142 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: of those things that you notice in television that when 143 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: there's a successful TV formula where you're having a like 144 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: Gordon Ramsey goes out and does rest for Kitchen Nightmares, 145 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: and he goes out there, and then every other networks like, 146 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: we need our own version, and sometimes they work out, 147 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: sometimes they don't. And you know, last year, Jack Taylor, 148 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: to my conjecture, was hired because of his association with 149 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 1: Sean mcveay and that was a selling point and I 150 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 1: don't disagree with it, but okay, he was kind of inexperience, 151 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: but okay, so let's see how this goes. And after 152 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 1: one season, I don't think we got a good read 153 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: on what Zack Taylor is all about. I don't think 154 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 1: it was any fault of his own. There was a 155 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: lot of things that were going wrong, and I wouldn't 156 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: pin it on him, but we want to know, like, 157 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 1: what is his deal going to be? Like is he 158 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: going to be the guy who steps up? And you're like, yes, 159 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: this is a great spinoff. This is better than what 160 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: Robert Irvine did with his life. I think his was 161 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: Kitchen Nightmare, And so you want him, You want Zack 162 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: to take a step up and I again, and I 163 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: put this at the end of the piece. It's like, 164 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 1: I'm willing to say last year never happened. I would 165 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 1: not pulled last year against him anything like that. They've 166 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: now put together a pretty good deal. There's still some 167 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: issues on the offensive line and things like that, but 168 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: I think now that they've given him a pretty good 169 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 1: a pretty good template to work with, and now it's 170 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: it's up to him to take a step forward. He 171 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: even admitted I was reading an article on Don Bengel 172 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: dot com where he was like, we need dudes who 173 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 1: have a little bit of an edge, a little bit 174 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: of a swagger, and even some of the teams with 175 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 1: Marvin Lewis had that defensively. I would like to see 176 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: that on the offensive side, and I think Joe Burrow 177 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: could do it. And it's up to Zach Taylor right 178 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: now to kind of harness that. I'm embarrassed to admit 179 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 1: that I watched that Robert Irvine show once. Not my 180 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: proudest moment. We're visiting with Adam Rank. You can follow. 181 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: I like Robert Irvin, but yeah, that was a misstep, 182 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 1: terrible show. I don't know enough about him other than 183 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: that show, but that show was awful. You can follow 184 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 1: Adam Rank on Twitter at Adam Rank. You pick second 185 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: year tight end Drew Sample to be the Bengals breakout 186 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:42,559 Speaker 1: star this year. Why Drew Well? I believe that it's 187 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: a position that could flourish for the Bengals when you 188 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: bring in a lot of guys who stretched the field 189 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: and can get after it. Obviously, we just talked about 190 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: the receivers a moment ago. I do believe that a 191 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:57,439 Speaker 1: guy like Drew can make a step forward this year 192 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: with a young quarterback who's going to target is tight 193 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,719 Speaker 1: ends underneath. If if the lanes are opened up for him, 194 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: I think he can make kind of a step forward. 195 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:08,200 Speaker 1: And I know a lot of people were upset last 196 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: year because it only seems weird when you draft the 197 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: tight end in the second round and a lot of 198 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: people are you know, I'm a Bears fan, so they 199 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: grafted Cole Commit this year and I'm like, oh, this 200 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 1: is kind of a tough one to sell. But I 201 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: do believe, and I watched him at Washington. I think 202 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,559 Speaker 1: he's he's a good player. I think that's a he's 203 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 1: a good blocker. That was his calling card. So Number 204 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: one he's going to help out of the running game. 205 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: You know, we're looking for Joe Mixon to breakout, like 206 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: really breakout this season, and he's going to help in 207 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:37,959 Speaker 1: the running game, but he can also be one of 208 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: those pass catchers and they need somebody to step up 209 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: down to Tyler e. Birts down in Jacksonville, So you 210 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 1: know he's going to be one of those guys. I 211 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: don't think he's going to go out there and be 212 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: the second coming of Robert Kronkowski, but I think he's 213 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: going to go out there and sneakily to put together 214 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 1: a number of touchdowns. And I know if you're a 215 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,319 Speaker 1: fantasy player, you'll be upset because you're starting Tyler Boyd 216 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: or Tee Higgins and they're gonna be like, oh, touchdown, 217 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: who wasn't too and gonna be Drew Sample and you're 218 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 1: gonna be great. Nobody has them on their roster, but whatever. 219 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: But for Bengal fans, I think they will enjoy him 220 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: taking that leap forward this year. All right, Adam, you've 221 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: been doing the state of the franchise stories on every 222 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: team in the AFC North. Where do you think about 223 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 1: the division as a whole? I have a good division. 224 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna be a lot tougher this year. Obviously, 225 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: with the Steelers getting back Ben Roethlisberger, that's gonna be 226 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 1: huge for them. They had a top five defense last year. 227 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 1: They're eight nights with absolutely dreadful play at the quarterback position. Now, 228 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: if Ben Roethlisberger can return and he doesn't have to 229 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: be the guy who's throwing for forty five hundred yards, 230 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: but if he can be a little bit productive, just 231 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 1: better than Mason Rudolph level, I think that's a very 232 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: good team. The Ravens obviously, not only are a good team, 233 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: they got better with Kalis Campbell and the Browns. You know, 234 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: it's unfortunate that they got Kevin Stefanski because I'm sure 235 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: you guys all enjoyed Freddie Kitchens and what he did. 236 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:01,199 Speaker 1: I wanted a lifetime contract for Freddie Kitchens. Oh my gosh, 237 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: like bring them back him another year. You get rid 238 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,199 Speaker 1: of them so quickly. Yeah, that's that's the unfortunate thing. 239 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:10,239 Speaker 1: So I think for the Bengals that they'll be improvement. 240 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 1: And it's going to be hard to really register because 241 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: these those other three teams in the division are so good. 242 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: But I think they're going to come out and I 243 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: think this division is going to be one of the 244 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: best in football, that's your question. But I think the 245 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: Bengals are going to be good. But it's like, oh, 246 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: if you were in another division, you would have an 247 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: opportunity to maybe make a little bit of a rhyme. 248 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: But I think being in the AFC North is going 249 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:34,439 Speaker 1: to be tough. It is challenging, but that's the way 250 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: it is. You are predicting a victory for the Bengals 251 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 1: in Week one against the Chargers, and it was an 252 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: excellent read. You did a great job of the state 253 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: of the franchise story. And I don't only say that 254 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 1: because it was optimistic. In general, it was very well done, 255 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 1: a fun read as well, and I enjoyed it very much. 256 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, thank you so much for having me 257 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 1: appreciate it. Let's do this again sometime and I look 258 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 1: forward to you buying me that there. I'll buy Adam 259 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: sever role if the Bengals reach the heights that he 260 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: thinks are possible under Joe Burrow. And just so we 261 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: have our TV cooking shows straight. Gordon Ramsey did Hell's 262 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares Robert Irvine did restaurant impossible. Before 263 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: we get to our next conversation, here's a quick reminder 264 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:18,800 Speaker 1: that you can take your Bengals pride to the next 265 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: level in twenty twenty with an official Bengals fan package 266 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 1: from Prime Sport. As we heard in my conversation with 267 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: Adam Rank, his pick for the Bengals breakout star in 268 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty, his tight end Drew Sample, the Bengals second 269 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: round draft pick last year out of the University of Washington. 270 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: Drew had five catches for thirty yards last year before 271 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: missing the final seven games of his rookie season with 272 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 1: an ankle injury. Now that Tyler Eifford has gone to 273 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: Jacksonville as a free agent, Drew as likely to play 274 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: a much larger role in twenty twenty. And I caught 275 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: up with a twenty four year old tight end this week, Drew. 276 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: I saw some footage of you on the local news 277 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,239 Speaker 1: recently working out at his Cincinnati are A fitness facility. 278 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: Did you stay here in the off season? Uh? Yeah, 279 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: I took after after the season, I went home for 280 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 1: a little bit. I think it was about two weeks 281 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: and then we were back here and then we had 282 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 1: a few trips. Uh went to Pebble Beach for my 283 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: dad's fiftieth birthday. But we've been back since basically the 284 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: fault before all the coronavirus stuff hit. We were back 285 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: at the beginning of March and the February, I believe, 286 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: and we've been We've been here ever since, so it's 287 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: been nice to kind of have a home base now 288 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: as a golf lover. How was Pebble Beach? It was amazing, 289 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: it was It was definitely an awesome experience, and we 290 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 1: played pretty much all the major courses down there, and 291 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: we ended with Pebble and it was It was tough. 292 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: It was tough for us, obviously, but it was as 293 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: gorgeous as advertised, and it was it was awesome. Worth 294 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: turning fifty for your daddent got I got one birdie, 295 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: So I was tapping with that. There you go, Drew, 296 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 1: and that the TV story that I referenced. You were 297 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 1: working out with Sam Hubbard. Have you guys been pushing 298 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: each other in the off season. Yeah, definitely, we've been 299 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: working out a black Feet performance. It's kind of it's 300 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: up in Blue Ash And Sam was the one that 301 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: introduced me to Pat who's our trainer. I think last 302 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: offseason for kind of a after a pah stuff, and 303 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: I really like everything that he's been about, and it's 304 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: it's been nice to go to work out with someone 305 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: like Sam who, like you said, we can really push 306 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 1: each other. I think we compliment each other well, like 307 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: in workouts and stuff, and then obviously on the field 308 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: going into show a lot of practice and stuff. I 309 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: think it's a it's a nice competition. It's a good 310 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: little rivalry. We are talking to Bengals tight end Drew 311 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: sample For many of us, Drew the one bright spot 312 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 1: during the coronavirus shutdown has been spending more time with 313 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: our families. Your first child was born last August, you 314 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 1: have another one on the way. How has this time 315 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: been for you and your wife? It's been amazing, Like 316 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: you know, obviously ups and downs being quarantined, but I think, 317 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: you know, both of us just tried to make the 318 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: best of it. I mean, we were able to have 319 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: spend so much time with Olivia, and you know, she's grown. 320 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: She's at the age where she's grown so much. Even 321 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 1: though the past like two weeks, you know, she just 322 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: started crawling about a month ago and now, you know, 323 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: Nastal standing up. Like, there's just so many different things 324 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: that you know, probably without the coronavirus, I would have 325 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: probably missed or at least not been there to see 326 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: you know, her first time crawling, her first time standing 327 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: and things like that. So, you know, definitely just finding 328 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 1: the positive things. And as a dad, you know, I 329 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: was really happy I was able to put him that 330 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: time and spend time with you know, my wife obviously 331 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 1: and Olivia. So it's I think it's been good. Obviously 332 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: there's a lot of stuff going on in the world, 333 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: but I think, you know, you just gotta take pausits 334 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 1: from it, and it was definitely one of them. It's 335 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: definitely a good silver lining. Let's go back to last year. 336 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: You suffered suffered a high ankle sprain and missed the 337 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: final seven games of the season. How bad was it 338 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: and how are you doing now? Um, you know, obviously 339 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: this was an ideal, you know, getting rolled up on 340 00:16:57,800 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: trying to rehab back again of the season, but it 341 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 1: just wasn't just wasn't progressing, and so um it was actually, 342 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: you know, I was I would say I was fully 343 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: healthy probably you know, a month a month or so 344 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: after the season. Um, So I was kind of able 345 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: to come into this offseason pretty much fully healthy. So 346 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: give me, gave me a full offseason plus this you know, 347 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: obviously had a lot of extra time with the coronavirus, 348 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: and so I feel really good, you know, uh, rehabbed 349 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 1: as much as I can, you know, strengthening that type 350 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: of thing. And so you know, I felt like I've 351 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:30,679 Speaker 1: had a really good off season and I'm definitely sadder 352 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: for this season coming up. We're catching up with du sample. 353 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: The coaches said, you were really coming on at the 354 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 1: point where you got injured. How did you feel you 355 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 1: were doing at that point. I think that's fair. I 356 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: think I was starting to really adjust to it. Obviously, 357 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: it's you know, a big jump, um, you know, from 358 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,439 Speaker 1: college to NFL, and so you know, I was definitely 359 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: getting more comfortable just seeing things games starting to kind 360 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:54,919 Speaker 1: of slow down a little bit. Um. So, obviously I 361 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 1: was pretty bob not being able to play the rest 362 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 1: of the year, but you know, I just try to 363 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,919 Speaker 1: take everything learned last year and put it into this 364 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 1: offseason and put it in this season. Um. So you know, 365 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: whenever we get going, I'm really excited to go out there. 366 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 1: And show what I could do. Discussing that college to 367 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: the NFL jump that you reference, was there anything specific 368 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 1: that was a real eye opener for you? I mean 369 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:18,640 Speaker 1: I kind of knew and you know, you you know 370 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: that that obviously everyone there's no there's no bad players. 371 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: Everyone was at the top of their level. Um and 372 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 1: you know, in the first ten or so games, I 373 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: mean every week, you know, you play against really good 374 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 1: players that you've either grown up watching or you or 375 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 1: you've heard of, or you know, just just people that 376 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: have been in the league for a long time. And um, 377 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,160 Speaker 1: so you just know, there's no there's no weeks off. 378 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 1: Every game is a battle. Every plays a battle, and 379 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,119 Speaker 1: that's what's fun about it. You get to compete against 380 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 1: the best of the best. And I think that's you 381 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:46,959 Speaker 1: know that with the speed of the game, I mean, 382 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: like just because everyone's so good. I think those are 383 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 1: just the main things. And you know, once you kind 384 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 1: of there's so much information without learning a new offense, 385 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: everything that goes into it's you know, it's hard to 386 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: just play free. And so um, I felt like I 387 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,479 Speaker 1: was starting to do that, you know, towards the end 388 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,360 Speaker 1: and there so I'm excited for I'm excited to get 389 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,680 Speaker 1: things to go on this year. Have you tweeked anything 390 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 1: about your off season prep based on that experience? No? 391 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 1: I mean I think this is an interesting year because 392 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 1: everyone says, you know, the best off season is you know, 393 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 1: or the hardest off season I should say is after 394 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: you're a year, because you rookie year, you know, you 395 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,199 Speaker 1: commea and train everything, and then this is this year 396 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: has been kind of an interesting challenge because obviously it's 397 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,160 Speaker 1: longer than normal. We didn't go at protas and so um. 398 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 1: You know, I've been working with Sam and Pat and 399 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: I think we've we've been able to navigate it really well. 400 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: So I feel like I haven't had a true, you know, 401 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:37,239 Speaker 1: normal off season by NFL standards yet. But this year 402 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,679 Speaker 1: has been great just because we really stepped back and 403 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:41,959 Speaker 1: looked at the details of everything and a lot of 404 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: a lot of us a lot of time into the 405 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,800 Speaker 1: things that you know, maybe might get overlooked by some people. 406 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 1: So I feel really really happy with the work we 407 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 1: put in this off season and I'm excited for the season. 408 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 1: We're talking to tight Endrew Sample. A key member of 409 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: the group is gone. Is Tyler Eifford left as a 410 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,959 Speaker 1: free agent, it's likely to mean more snaps for you. 411 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:05,879 Speaker 1: Does that affect your mindset going into next season? Um, 412 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: you know, obviously, losing a good player like that, you know, 413 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:10,880 Speaker 1: someone that has been here a long time and did 414 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 1: a lot of good things for us is tough. But um, 415 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: you know, I think we got a lot of good 416 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 1: guys in the room, and you know, I'm excited to 417 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: help contribute in any way can I Obviously I want 418 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: to come in and I want to play as much 419 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: as I can. I want to help this offense. Um. 420 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: So you know, it's obviously hard. He's been here so long, 421 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: he's done a lot of things. Um, you know for 422 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: the organization and being able to watch him work for 423 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: a year was fun. But now I'm definitely excited just 424 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: to kind of take that jump and for our room 425 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: to try and take that next step. Drew, have you 426 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 1: enjoyed Team Zoom meetings and do you think they've been productive? Yeah? 427 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:46,200 Speaker 1: For sure. I think I think Zac did a really 428 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: good job of just kind of keeping everyone together, all 429 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: the all the coaches and um just really you know, 430 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:54,920 Speaker 1: there's you know, there's some days we have a little 431 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:57,600 Speaker 1: more fun than others, but obviously overall, you know, we 432 00:20:57,680 --> 00:20:59,439 Speaker 1: got we got through a lot of installs. You know, 433 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: we had um, you know, offensive offensive meeting, special teams meetings. 434 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:06,400 Speaker 1: It was really nice to kind of just get back 435 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 1: into things, you know, go over the play look, um, 436 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: you know, new stuff, old stuff, just really refreshing all 437 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: of it and you know, be able to watch you know, 438 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:16,239 Speaker 1: stuff from last year and and just really look at 439 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: ways to get better. And I think play stay coach 440 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,199 Speaker 1: Jerry did a great job of making sure everyone was 441 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 1: you know, locked in, and so I think, um, you know, 442 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: I think we just were able to make the best 443 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: of it, and um, I think it's definitely gonna pay 444 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 1: off come season. And as a veteran or as a 445 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: returning player, you are done with that this week, correct, Yeah, 446 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: today it was our last day. So um just you 447 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 1: know they're letting us get out really focused on you know, 448 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 1: getting football shaped, getting back into things and basically getting 449 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 1: ready for camp whenever, whenever that may be. We are 450 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:50,880 Speaker 1: catching up with Drew sample Drew his last season wound down, 451 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 1: it seemed like a strong possibility that the Bengals would 452 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: wind up drafting Joe Burrow, and obviously they did. Did 453 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 1: you watch him in the college football playoff games with 454 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,639 Speaker 1: that in mind, I mean I did obviously, you know, 455 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: obviously he was a great player, and you know, we 456 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 1: we a lot of people to talk about that. So 457 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 1: but I have definitely watched a couple of games, and 458 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:12,879 Speaker 1: you know, seeing the type of player that he is, 459 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 1: and um, just to kind of mindset and everything that 460 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: he had in his zoom meets and everything is has 461 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: been fun to watch. So, you know, I haven't actually 462 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:22,719 Speaker 1: met him out, but I'm excited to meet him. And uh, 463 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:24,679 Speaker 1: you know, I know he's he's putting a lot of 464 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,439 Speaker 1: work in this offseason two, so we're we're hopefully going 465 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,880 Speaker 1: to start building something special here. Did anything stand out 466 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: when you watched him in those games at the end 467 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: of the year. I think it's just poise and you know, 468 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:37,399 Speaker 1: stay calm. I mean, he made a lot of plays 469 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,000 Speaker 1: off script plays. He made a lot of great throws. 470 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,880 Speaker 1: I think, um, you know, as a quarterback, being able 471 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: to make the right throws, get out, you know, get 472 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:47,439 Speaker 1: out of things and make plays. I think that's I 473 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: think that's really all you can ask a lot of 474 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 1: quarterbacks in the league. You see it with a lot 475 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: of the top guys just to be able to make plays, 476 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: and I think that's something that he was able to 477 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 1: do and big reason why they had such good season. 478 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 1: So you're getting ready for a year number two? Do 479 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,879 Speaker 1: you feel like you have anything to prove in year two? 480 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: You know, for me, I just always feel like I 481 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: just want to go out and and play my game 482 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:11,159 Speaker 1: and show people the type of player that I know 483 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: I am. Um, you know, I don't think necessarily I 484 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 1: mean you always, I just think I want to play 485 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 1: for the team. You know, obviously we didn't have a 486 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 1: great season last year, and so I know all the 487 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,400 Speaker 1: guys in our room, in our offense, just on our 488 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:25,679 Speaker 1: team want to, you know, show everyone that that we 489 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: didn't you know, put our best foot forward. And so 490 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: I think guys are really excited to go out and 491 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:32,280 Speaker 1: show show the type of players we are and show 492 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 1: the type of team we are. This year, you weren't 493 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,880 Speaker 1: able to have OTAs or mini camps, but training camp 494 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 1: at least for now, seems to be on schedule. How 495 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:45,399 Speaker 1: confident are you that everything is going to proceed on 496 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 1: schedule or close to it in the fall? Um, you know, 497 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:51,920 Speaker 1: I can't really I can't really say I really hope. 498 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 1: So you know obviously, um, you know, as sports to 499 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 1: slowly started to come back, he realized when there are done, 500 00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:59,439 Speaker 1: how big of you know, even for me, you just 501 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 1: watched another sports and everything when there's nothing, it's it's 502 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: it's kind of hard. So, um, you know, I know 503 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:06,400 Speaker 1: we just want to get back. You know, we want 504 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 1: to play a season obviously, and you know, hopefully they 505 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,040 Speaker 1: you know, come out with the guidelines and we'll be 506 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: able to follow that because I know guys, you know, 507 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 1: I know guys want to play it. But also you know, 508 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 1: you have to be safe with everything going on, so 509 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 1: you know, I know the PA and stuff won't won't 510 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: agree to anything that doesn't you know, protect us as players. 511 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:26,919 Speaker 1: You know, every wants to flip football. So whatever that 512 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 1: looks like this year, hopefully hopefully this happened and what 513 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:32,440 Speaker 1: it does, I know we're exciting about it. Sounds good 514 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 1: to me. Good to hear that your ankle is back 515 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:38,959 Speaker 1: to normal. Congratulations again on that second baby on the way, 516 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 1: and I appreciate your time. Look forward to seeing you 517 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: when that's allowed again. Awesome. Yeah, I appreciate you having 518 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 1: me on. Thank you. I thanks to Adam Rank and 519 00:24:47,800 --> 00:24:49,959 Speaker 1: Drew Sample and that's going to do it for this 520 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 1: episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by 521 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: Prime Sport, the official fan, travel and hospitality partner of 522 00:24:57,440 --> 00:25:01,640 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati Bengals. If you haven't done so already, please subscribe, 523 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:03,639 Speaker 1: and if you have a minute, give it a rating 524 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 1: or share a comment that helps more Bengals fans find 525 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:11,359 Speaker 1: this podcast. I'm Dan Horde, and thanks for listening to 526 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:13,360 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast.